Steven T. Callan is the award-winning author of The Game Warden’s Son, named the “Best Outdoor Book of 2016” by the Outdoor Writers Association of California and published by Coffeetown Press of Seattle. His debut book, Badges, Bears, and Eagles—The True-Life Adventures of a California Fish and Game Warden, was a 2013 “Book of the Year” award finalist (ForeWord Reviews). Steve is the recipient of the 2014, 2015, and 2016 “Best Outdoor Magazine Column” awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of California.

Callan graduated from California State University, Chico, in 1970, and continued with graduate work at California State University, Sacramento. Hired by the California Department of Fish and Game in 1974, he began his career as a Fish and Game warden near the Colorado River, promoted to patrol lieutenant in the Riverside/San Bernardino area, and spent the remainder of his thirty-year enforcement career in Shasta County. Callan has earned numerous awards for his work in wildlife protection.

Carol has been a freelance writer and public speaker for over 20 years. Besides fishing and the outdoors she enjoys writing about people always using a touch of humor. her goal is to entertain, influence and spiritually inspire others. She has also been a Skin Care Consultant and Manager with Jafra Cosmetics for over 50 years. Both careers are about serving others and she loves it.

Morro Bay, CA, March 28, 2017 - There’s an abundance of pure unadulterated cuteness going on from the recent increase in California Sea Otter families living in Morro Bay. Mommas and babies are everywhere eating and grooming each other as if no one is watching. But we are and we can’t look away - they are so dang cute! Now is the perfect time to catch a glimpse of these sea creatures in their natural habitat since Morro Bay harbor is experiencing the highest count to date of these adorable critters. A survey taken last May of the Morro Bay harbor documented 36 adult sea otters and nine pups, a significantly higher number than the typical five or fewer otters frequenting the harbor in the early 2000s.

“Large gatherings of otters throughout the harbor have attracted tourists and locals all along the waterfront to experience them in their natural habitat,” explains Jennifer Little, Executive Director of Discover Morro Bay. “You can watch along the shore or rent paddleboards and watch from a safe distance on the water as they forage for food and groom their young. They use rocks and other tools to break open crab and local food sources and are so fun to watch. We’ve seen up to 30 - 40 of them at a time floating around on their backs and enjoying life in Morro Bay.”

Just plop down a beach chair along the Morro Bay Harbor Walk and start watching - they’re everywhere and easy to find. If there isn’t a family of otters hanging out already, they will soon appear. The southeast side of Morro Rock is a great landmark for sea otter viewing as is Coleman beach at the intersection of Embarcadero and Coleman Drive. There are also public viewing spots all along the Embarcadero for wildlife viewing in between the plethora of restaurants, boutique shops and wine bars. To get an even closer look, paddle out in a kayak or rent a boat at Bay Cruisers and Electric Boats. Visitors can also take a ride on the Lost Isle Tiki boat to see the otters and the ever-barking sea lions, which includes a quick detour to the Morro Bay natural sand spit. Kayaks can be rented at Kayak Horizons and the Kayak Shack.

Otter Population Growth

Over the past three years, the average count of sea otters in the California range hit 3,272. This is the first time that the index, which started in 1982, has exceeded 3,090, the threshold suggested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine whether the species should be delisted under the Endangered Species Act. The threshold would need to be surpassed for at least three consecutive years before the species is considered for delisting. The index hovered in the 2,800 only one decade ago.

Experts say what’s really driving the population increase is the abundance of food they find in the waters of Morro Bay. Sea otters are integral to the health of the Morro Bay harbor environment. When viewing otters be very careful as they are wild animals and may react poorly if approached. When viewing from the water, it’s best to stay at least five kayak lengths away at all times and enjoy them in a responsible manner.

For information on all the exciting things to do and see in Morro Bay, visit www.morrobay.org.

PLANO, IL (March 27, 2017) – Sitting on a scant total of just 8 pounds, 9 ounces of bass at noon on day two of the three-day 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic at Lake Conroe, Texas, 25-year-old Bassmaster Elite angler Jordan Lee had no idea where he’d be standing just 28 hours later. As it turned out, he’d be living his dream of holding high the most coveted trophy in professional angling on competitive fishing’s grandest stage.

Jordan Lee is one of the hottest anglers in the Bassmaster Elite Series. Since winning the Carhartt Bassmaster College Championship as a member of the Auburn University Fishing Team in 2013, the young gun from Alabama has finished in the money an astonishing 33 times at 41 events, earning 14 top-ten finishes in just three Elite seasons. So what happened at the Bassmaster Classic between noon on Saturday and the final weigh-in on Sunday at Houston’s grand Minute Maid Park – while unexpected, dramatic and remarkable – really can’t be considered too surprising.

After coming to the stage with less than nine pounds at the end of day one on Friday, the Plano Fishing pro shocked the crowd at Saturday’s day-two weigh-in with a four-fish bag weighing 21 pounds, including a single bass over seven pounds.

“I found a spot in practice and I really thought if I could catch ‘em off of it I could do really well,” Lee told fans and Bassmaster Elite Emcee, Dave Mercer. “I rolled up to it this afternoon and caught that biggest one, and there was a whole school of five pounders with it,” said Lee, who dredged the spot with a Strike King Football Jig to get back in the game. “I knew it was something special.”

Park Falls, WI (March 26, 2017) – Proving grounds. It’s where companies go to push the envelope in product development, punishing and testing gear to the nth-degree. Say, for example, you wanted to produce the most cold-tolerant car battery on earth. You’d be packing for International Falls, MN (“Ice Box of the Nation”) and The Cold Weather Testing Facility, where Pluto-like temperatures push prototypes to the limit.

In similar fashion, if you claim to build the “Best Rods on Earth,” you better be testing them on what might be the best bass lakes on earth. And that precise thinking is behind St. Croix’s union with Angler’s Inn International.

Located in the beautifully bucolic outskirts of Mazatlán, Mexico, Lakes El Salto and Picachos are shoreline basecamps for two epic Angler’s Inn fishing resorts, and where St. Croix recently pitted man against fish (hundreds of them) in the final development stages of the new, extra-long Legend Glass and Legend Tournament Bass rods. In the end, the rods won, but the black bass put up one heck of a fight.

Angler’s Inn International owner Billy Chapman Jr. sings high praise of his new relationship with St. Croix. “It’s an honor to be with St. Croix Rod. They make great products. My customers are going to love it.” Moreover, Chapman says his guests will be appreciative of not having to carry their own rods, because of the wide variety of St. Croix rods he carries in camp. Flippin’, buzzing, cranking, dropshotting.... whatever. St. Croix and Angler’s Inn have it covered.

Choosing between Lakes Picachos and El Salto could be the toughest decision you make all year. The newest lake in North America – quite literally – Lake Picachos offers an unimaginable biomass of bass.

Northern California-based kayak angler explores Florida offshore for first time

Old Town, ME (March 31, 2017): There’s a chaos that comes with kayak fishing, especially in saltwater. But it’s a chaos that’s pursued by thousands of anglers on top of Ocean Kayak ‘craft each year, many pushing the future of the sport into new, unimagined territories.

Along those lines, Ocean Kayak is proud to introduce a series of saltwater fishing videos for 2017, which will cast a spotlight on the pros, guides, and passionate everyday anglers who rely on Ocean Kayak boats day in, day out.

Sonoma County, California-based Annie Nagel is one of those anglers, a West Coast fish-head who pursues lingcod, cabezon, rock fish, halibut, steelhead and salmon… pretty much everything that swims around the San Francisco Bay area.

Annie’s versatile, and her main boat is equally adept in varying conditions: from the open Pacific to behemoth bass-filled California lakes. Her vessel of choice? Ocean Kayak Trident 11, Trident 13 and Trident 15 models, stalwart boats recently revamped for 2017 with the same legendary hull but improved ACS2 seating, center pod redesign, and a whole lot more.

With the goal of challenging her angling skills, Annie recently flip-flopped coasts, traveling with her Trident 13 Angler to the Ft. Lauderdale area for some multi-species spring break fun. Call it fishing “cold” or “blind,” Annie had no idea to expect other than shattered expectations. As anyone familiar with the Atlantic Florida coast knows, it can be a real mixed bag of species, as the video reveals.

kayaking

annie nagel

]]>LKaylor@visitmammoth.com (Lara Kaylor)OtherSun, 28 May 2017 23:30:00 +0000Race to Register for This Year's Lynch Canyon Trail Run and Community Hikehttps://www.owac.org/index.php/articles/hiking/item/129-race-to-register-for-this-year-s-lynch-canyon-trail-run-and-community-hike
https://www.owac.org/index.php/articles/hiking/item/129-race-to-register-for-this-year-s-lynch-canyon-trail-run-and-community-hike

5K, 10K and Half Marathon expected to sell out during month of May

Runs and 2.5-mile community hike take place Sat. June 3 at 8 a.m.

Suisun City, Calif. – The 10th Annual Lynch Canyon Trail Run has earned a reputation as the perfect combination of challenge and fun, and the toughest trail run in Solano County. The 5K, 10K, and half marathon races all start at 8 a.m. on Sat. June 3. Over 300 runners have already signed up at www.lynchcanyontrailrun.org. These runners are coming from six different states and internationally, and they range in age from 8 to 80. Whether they are racing to win, running for fun, or both, they will be challenged on the steep hills and treated to frequent aid stations with cheerful volunteers. All routes are 100 percent trail, with about 85 percent wide track and 15 percent single track, and spectacular views.

The 5K, 10K, and half marathon runs are expected to sell out during the month of May, so pre-registration is encouraged now at www.lynchcanyontrailrun.org for $40, $60, or $70, respectively. All proceeds support public access and improvements at Lynch Canyon. Pre-registrants receive a custom-designed event t-shirt on race day. Half marathon finishers also receive a one-of-a-kind finisher’s medal.

The Community Hike also starts at 8 a.m. It is completely free and there is no pre-registration. Over fifty people hike the 2.5-mile loop as slow or fast as they like. They walk a wide dirt trail alongside a creek toward a reservoir, then go 400 feet uphill to reach the highest point of the hike. At the top, volunteers cheer them on and give them a certificate recognizing their achievement.

The runs and hike are a great way to celebrate National Trails Day and to start National Great Outdoors Month!

Participants arrive between 6:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. for check-in and are encouraged to carpool; parking is limited.

Bring family and friends, but no pets. For the protection of Lynch Canyon’s wildlife and free-range cattle, dogs and other pets are not allowed.

Lynch Canyon is at 3100 Lynch Road, near McGary Road, between the cities of Vallejo and Fairfield. From Interstate-80, exit American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke or Red Top Road, and follow signs to Lynch Canyon.

Lynch Canyon is owned by Solano Land Trust and is part of the Solano County Parks system. Solano Land Trust protects land to ensure a healthy environment, keep ranching and farming families on their properties, and inspire a love of the land. For more information about Solano Land Trust, its upcoming events and to make a donation, visit www.solanolandtrust.org. Solano County Parks are natural recreational sites where you can pursue healthy and fun outdoor activities. For more information about the Solano County Parks system and upcoming events, visit www.solanocounty.com/parks.